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I sang a tamil devotional song by DR K.J Yesudas
and everyone said you have a voice which stirs the soul hence I
should learn and sing a bhajan in the evening. I listened to
Sundaram cassette and came across Hey ramba janani sung by brother
Devanathan ( a popular melodious bhajan singer ) I didn’t know his
name then, which touched the core of myself. I attempted that song
the same evening and I murdered that song so badly that I never
wanted to sing bhajans. I presume it is Swami who made me go to
Sundaram and buy myself the first cassette. I started listening to
bhajans. But only when I didn’t have any other work I would go to
Sundaram.
1992 December 25th went to native place to perform
the function for the first child birth scheduled on 28th
morning.
The previous evening was the bash for the old chums
and was high "spirits" came back home at midnight and was in 7th
heaven. For the first time Swami appeared ( not sure a dream or a
vision) and said " If you want ME to LOVE you then you will have to
change your life style" . I said YOU are supposed to be GOD and YOU
want me to change , Change me , I am a normal human being and I
don’t think I can change. This historical event ended with that
conversation but the ever compassionate, ever LOVING LORD willed to
change me. Next day I woke up as a new person without any urge to
smoke . HE had taken away every bad habits I acquired somewhere
during my journey this life.
After the function I left for Chennai by train and
I have travelled n number of times in my life and for the first time
in my life I was surrounded by people in my coach ended by talking
about Baba along the journey. From then he ensured that I was
surrounded by them. I thought only GOD is Omni Present but I
realized HIS devotees are equally Omni Present. January 1993 there
was a news that Swami might visit Chennai. So I did not want to miss
that first time opportunity of seeing him in Flesh. Went to a shop
and bought a camara to capture HIM for posterity. HE did elude
everyone on the specified date and arrived 3 days later. I was
returning back from work and I got an urge to go through pugh's
road. When I landed near Pughs road there were sevadals standing
there and they said Swami has arrived. I threw my Yamaha bike and
ran to Sundaram. Everyone said HE just finished Darshan and went
inside. I was thoroughly disappointed as HE was eluding me. Told HIM
tomorrow morning I will come for suprabatham & nagara
sankeerthan and left for home.
Never seen 3 AM in my life hence told my mother to
wake me up at 3.30 so that I can go for Darshan. But HE made me get
up at 2.30 and I was ready by 3.0 AM. Took my bike and started
towards Sundaram….. the empty road, the chillness of January mist
(Markazhi), a little drizzle the previous evening all that gave
special effects. Suddenly the evil EGO send a thought that perhaps I
will be first one to arrive. Put my bike in Sundaram finance and
entered pughs road already there were thousands sitting in line. I
felt a slap on my face and I apologised to Baba for that thought.
Kept talking to him mentally and at 4.30 they left us in to Sundaram
for suprabatham. When my turn came they said it is full. Sorry. I
said in my mind Swami without YOUR WILL I cannot come here I already
apologised for that thought why don’t YOU forgive me? The moment
this thought crossed my mind the seva dal said one person “Sai ram
“and let me in and led me to the front row. Had a wonderful
suprabatham, nagarsankeerthan and saw Swami for the first time in
Flesh VISHWA ROOPA DARSHAN ( cosmic form ). HE just swallowed me by
HIS sheer beauty.
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Wanted to take HIS photo like any other new
entrant and was not satisfied with long shots. Evening after
office was talking to colleagues and at 6.30 felt an urge to
go home through Sundaram. Landed there and the sevadal said
expecting Swami any time. I parked my bike and stood behind
the barricade right opposite Sundaram gate. The sevadal said
“Sairam Swami will get down inside Sundaram and may or may not
come outside for Darshan. I talked to Swami mentally and said
" Swami I am not satisfied with long shot photographs. Give me
a chance to take a close up photo of YOURS. Exactly after 10
minutes HE arrived and the car turned inside Sundaram and it
stopped at the gate and my heart too stopped for a moment.
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HE got down at point blank blessing with Abhaya
hastha. I chose to click some close up shots. I was in heavens and
the next day I realised I prayed to Swami to allow me to "take" some
close up shots and HE did allow me but none of the snaps came out.
Everything was dark. One has to be careful and clear when praying to
our dear Lord.
After that disappointing episode of snaps not
coming I got a thought that I must write a letter to the LORD. Wrote
a letter in the evening and went to Sundaram in the evening at 7
p.m. The previous day crowd of 200 must have gone and told 10 people
each and there were 2000 people waiting there. But the divine drama
unfolded there by me getting a seat next to the gate. Was praying
and talking to Him while waiting and HE came after half an hour that
day Swami got down a little before the Sundaram gate and came
blessing the crowd. HE was taking letters and people were trying to
reach HIM above my head. I mentally told Him that unless you ask me
I am not going to give it.
He then crossed me over, went to the opposite side
and collected the letter and started going inside Sundaram. My mind
was blank and it took some time to realise that I am going to miss a
life time opportunity and I cried BABA in my mind. Like the Cow
listen to the cry of the calf Swami turned and looked straight into
my eyes…. My hand went inside my pocket and brought the letter out.
Swami took two steps back stretched HIS hand and took the letter
from the hand and HIS hand rubbing mine. He went inside and a
sevadal from the crowd told me “sairam bring chocolates tomorrow and
Swami will bless”. I thought it has to be HIS Will or else why on
earth the sevadal has to tell me in that crowd. I decided to bring
chocolates the next day.
That after noon I went to Higginbothams a famous
bookshop and bought Conversation with Hislop and Sandeha Nivarani I
think. One of the question Swami had explained about belief &
faith and the difference between the two. I was on top of the world
at 6.30 PM itself I got ready , went to a shop bought one kilo of
chocolates and rushed to Sundaram. That day the crowd multiplied in
geometric progression and the whole place was full. Swami went for a
dinner and came very late. I got a seat a little far off right
opposite to the Sundaram gate. It was first row and it took sometime
to settle down. Once I settled down I realised Swami will never make
it to that place. I started scanning the place and I saw a young boy
sitting with a plate of chocolates and a beautiful rose flower on
top of that. I told Swami and started mentally quarrelling with
Swami why He did not give me that thought of bringing a rose like
that boy. But its too late now. I was praying and fighting with HIM
and suddenly this thought struck me asking me to give the chocolate
plate to a chubby looking boy on my side just outside the barricade
right opposite to the boy with the chocolate plate with flower. So I
took the help of a sevadal and passed the plate to that boy. After
one hour SWAMY came , got down at the entrance of the road and came
blessing the crowd. Then HE came straight to the boy who was holding
my chocolate plate and put HIS hand and took handful of sweets and
through it into the crowd in HIS inimitable style. Then He came near
blessing and then crossed over to the opposite side and went inside
Sundaram after collecting some letters. HE did not go to the other
boy with the rose. Someone in the crowd said SWAMY liked only your
chocolates and I started weeping un controllably and shamelessly for
the first time in my life in such a huge crowd.
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HE did not allow me to return to the world.
Of course since my wife was away it gave me enough time for
contemplation, reading HIS Glory, and HE chose to clarify all
that I read against him written by self proclaimed saviours of
blind faith. HE supplied the right books at the right time. I
started with Autobiography of a Yogi and straightaway send
money to enrol myself in kriya yoga.
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Then followed by Man of Miracles, the entire series
of Howard Murphet, Hislop, Don mario mazzaloni, Phillis crystal and
anything by anybody about HIM.
The Director Himself had written the screen play of
my life and hence it was progressing as per HIS plans. By this time
attending bhajans became a routine as I had an ear for music.
Started doing duty in Sundaram as a seva dal and eventually got into
the Sundaram bhajan group. Unfortunately (or fortunately for some)
my voice resembles Sai brother Devanathan’s and it became a
disadvantage for me. Nobody was allowed to sing those songs sung by
him in the cassette. Many restrictions made me suffocate and Swamy
pulled me out and put me into B group in Guindy. We had Guruswamy
uncle as our bhajan leader and he knew each one of our strength and
weakness and he knew we will not venture into our weakness area. We
had blissful period of singing in front of the Lord.
1994 -1997
Quantum shift
Turn of events took me from hand to mouth existence
to a comfortable financial freedom in a span of 3 years but not with
out test and trials. Got a nice job in Sterling Holiday Resorts and
thought I settled down. But the day I completed the probation in
office, I knew little that I have to go through a major test in
life. I came back from a month end party late night and got up in
the wee hours with heavy vomiting and loose motion. Next day the
situation continued and became totally drained off. But I was
singing bhajans right through though was not well and did not attend
office. The next day started feeling numb on the right side of the
cheeks and no sensation in the right side of the tongue or teeth.
Started getting a split vision seeing every object as two (vertical
diplopia ). Got admitted into a nearby hospital. They put me through
observation and ophthalmologist came and tested. Next morning I
started loosing equilibrium and started to fall towards one side
when I walked. Meanwhile my office colleagues came to know and my
Asst Vice President came to see me in the hospital. Seeing my plight
the office decided to shift me into a better hospital and shifted me
into Chennai Kaliappa hospital. As we were entering the hospital one
car came out and in the front glass a picture of Bhagwan in
Abhayahastham ( Blessing Posture) was welcoming me. I knew HE was
there for me and the thought that the hospital was closer to
Sundaram the Chennai residence of Swami gave me courage to face the
test.
They made many test and the Neuro physician
instructed not to walk even for toilet. After 3 days of
hospitalization 4 th day was fixed for caroted angiogram. It was in
the hospital that I learnt , they suspect a brain haemorrhage or
tumor or something. Also the doctor was narrating what angiogram is
all about and sometime the patient may die while doing this test etc
to a colleague of mine. I was prepared to leave as I learnt I am not
the performer and HE will be in control of my family. I told “Swamy,
you have revealed to me now about your presence and given me an
opportunity to play whatever role in Your Mission. Hence if you
extend my lease I can work towards becoming a better devotee in this
life time itself.” Perhaps Swamy then decided to extend my lease.
The angiogram revealed no blockages or leak but a haemoragic edema
as the doctors called it. Was in the hospital for 15 days under
medication. Vibhuti came from all directions and Ambika aunty, a
close devotee (she used to play with Swami in childhood) brought
vibhuti from Swami from Parthi. She also got a hand kerchief blessed
by Swami for my protection and health. My wife Jayanthy with 18
month old son Pranav , was perplexed as she did not realize what was
happening in my (her ) life? . Only solace was my very close friend,
more like a brother , Suresh Kumar who was coming and praying for
me. I must share that Suresh was and is with us through our thick
and thin.
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After 18 days I was discharged as
miraculously my brain responded for some tablet and hence an
operation under consideration was cancelled. I was advised bed
rest for two months and finally came home in ambulance
(luckily not in a box). Many prayers were answered by Swamy.
For the first time throughout this ordeal HE came in my dream
and asked how is my head caressing my head. I remember telling
HIM I have no worry as YOU are there. Then the most
compassionate Lord |
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started visiting me in dreams almost daily as an
assurance and affirmation. This episode changed my perception of
life and the priorities in life. After I came out of this situation
HE put me through to Pranic healing, Sai Sanjeevani healing,
Spiritual healing and made me a worthy instrument of HIS healing
energy. Witnessed many healing sessions.
This was the time Sri Ra Ganapathy ( a karma yogi,
naishtika brahmachari & the author of many books including Baba
Sathya Sai ) was staying with Mr Suresh Kumar and I was blessed by
his visit home one night and he ordered me to get up and sit. He
said you are perfectly healthy. Go to Shirdi Baba temple in VGP and
have darshan of Sai. Every thing will be alright. That paved the way
for my health to bounce back. I started practising Pranic healing
and Sai Sanjeevani healing. Things again started moving in the right
direction. In 1997 we went on a trip to Hrishikesh and Haridwar
visiting many holy places. First time in my life saw a mercury
shivlingam in haridwar (mercury melts in room temperature) and a
rudraksh tree ( it normally grows in sub zero temperature). An
interesting episode was about to unfold in Haridwar which I did not
realize while arriving at Haridwar.
While the train was entering the railway station I
was glancing outside and saw a hotel which attracted my attention
and wanted to stay there. But it was a little far off from the
railway station. But when we got down at the station we were
troubled
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by a man who wanted to earn some money so
insisted he will carry our luggage So though it was not heavy
and I could manage myself I took his help. Before I could say
anything he took us to a hotel just opposite the railway
station and put our luggage without listening to my protest or
instruction to go to the hotel I saw before entering the city.
My wife said its okay so we checked into that hotel to my
dislike. They also cheated by asking
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double the fare as next day or so was special new
moon day and millions are assembling in Haridwar to take a holy dip
in the Ganges. So no rooms will be available he said. The rooms were
not bright and the mattress and the comforter were old and it was
suffocating. I prayed to SWAMY and accepted HIS WILL as always HIS
WILL prevails. Somehow we slept off as we were tired coming from
Mussourie. The next morning we got ready and joined a group leaving
for Haridwar and Rishikesh tour. We went to many ashrams and we were
to be back by 3 pm to the hotel as our train to Delhi was at 4.30.
The Shadabdi Express a super fast limited stop express starts from
Dehradun at 4 PM and arrives Haridwar at around 4.30 which we were
suppose to board. However at 4 PM we were struck in Haridwar near
Ganga ashram quite far off from the hotel as there were traffic
diversions due to sea of humanity already in Haridwar for the
auspicious day. Somehow the tour operator caught a 3 wheeler and put
us in that. My wife was tense and was talking in a loud voice in
frustration as she was not sure whether we will be able to catch the
train. SWAMY gave me the strength to tell her that leave it to
SWAMY. If it is HIS WILL that we will catch the train then we will,
otherwise not. I kept praying as I did not carry enough cash. The
auto could not travel beyond a point and from there we shifted in to
a tri cycle. It was already 4.25 pm.
The old man pushed the cycle and we were all
sweating , pulse increasing like drum beats mentally chanting
Sairam, Sairam. Somehow we reached the hotel at 4.35 PM. I went to
the reception to settle the bill and asked for the luggage, the
answer was “we thought you will take some rest so we did not vacate
your room”. So rushed to the room collected all baggage and rushed
down. Settled the bill and ran to the station across with all the
luggage. IT was 4.50 PM. Ran ……. Straight in to the station and to
the platform and saw no train there. The platform was sort of empty.
Felt like crying. Mustering courage went and asked a person about
Shadabdi to Delhi and he said don’t know why its still not arrived
today. I knew why and thanked my sweet LORD from the bottom of my
heart. Exactly after two minutes the train enters the platform and
we boarded the train for New Delhi. I was imagining if we had taken
the hotel we first saw ( we cannot see what is coming on our way but
our Sweet SWAMY can – kalaya namaha, kala atheethaya namaha) we
would not have made it to the station or may be our Lord would have
to do something more perhaps .
Visiting Yogi Ramsurat Kumar of Thiruvannamalai. My
friend Suresh Kumar had to visit Thiruvannamalai as instructed by
Shri. Ra Ganapathi and so I joined along with my wife and son. I
prayed as usual SWAMY all names and forms are YOU. Grant me Darshan
, Sparshan and Sambashan. We were summoned by YOGI for an interview
and we performed half an hour Sai Bhajan in HIS presence. HE did
grant my prayers of Darshan, Sparshan and Sambashan. We had a
blissful interview for 90 minutes. Suresh asked me to join him in
taking Arthi to HIM so got that once in a life time opportunity.
1997 to 1999 March
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I joined my a friend of mine to market
Sathya Sai Village Resort in Puttparthi to market it as a time
share after resigning from Sterling Resorts. I still remember
the journey to Kodaikanal in April to seek Swamy’s blessings
to take up the project. We arrived in Kodai and took a cottage
in Sterling were my friend had a cottage as Property Time
Share. We went to Darshan in the morning and I wrote a letter
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Swamy that HE must accept the letter only if HE
wants me to take up the project. After 1 hour Swamy came gliding
down the steps and my heart started beating fast Sai … Ram Sai… Ram.
There HE was on the opposite line taking letters and blessing
people. He almost crossed over me leaving me behind. My heart almost
stopped and I was calling HIM in my mind and suddenly Swamy turned
and walked back crossing over to my place and took the letter. I was
very happy ad we discussed the Darshan the whole day. Still I was
not satisfied. I was asking HIM for re affirmation of HIS acceptance
of this project. Next Darshan I got the second row and I was praying
to HIM and waited for HIM eagerly as the clock was ticking very very
slow. Then HE came floating and HE stopped right in front of me to
talk to someone behind and I bent down to hold HIS feet and kissed
HIS soft silky feet. Manuva Bhajore Gurucharanam … dustara bhava
sagara tharanam. So I was happy that Swamy accepted our taking up
the project and we wanted to pack up and leave for Chennai. We came
back to the room and packed everything and by 3 PM we left
Kodaikanal. When we were crossing Swamy’s residence we had a small
yearning to have a Darshan of HIM and the ever compassionate LORD
was there standing in the portico of the bhajan hall blessing.
Took up the project yet did not take off the way we
wanted it and life was not easy. One good thing what happened in
that project was meeting all Sai devotees from morning till night
talking about HIS glory all the time and that becomes your job you
cant ask for more. However Baba had other plans. He made me visit
all the Sai centre across the country and made me meditate on HIS
glory while on work. I also got opportunity to sing in most of the
bhajans I attended including in Dharmakhetra in 1997 August or
September. I can never forget two incidents in my life during this
period. Firstly the special bhajan we organized during the Paduga
pooja festival at Parthi. I was staying there in Sathya Sai Village
and one of the devotee who was staying there felt very bad that he
is enjoying in star comfort while other paduga members are staying
inside prasanthi in the shed. So he wrote a letter to SWAMY and kept
in the room alter. When he came back that evening one of the tissue
Swamy wrote a reply consoling him and assuring him that comfort is a
gift from HIM. So just enjoy. We organized a bhajan that evening and
were in bliss. I was sitting close to the chair and could feel a
sudden change in the vibration during the bhajan and my heart chakra
started vibrating fast. There were two ladies sitting next to me
sang Partheeshwara sathya saieeshwara and they sang with such
karnatic tinge I was wondering who it was as their voice was very
familiar. I learnt what is humility when they told me they are known
as Bombay sisters at the end of the bhajan. We became friends after
that.
The second incident was during the first ever
Cricket Match in Parthi. I had an earnest desire to be there for
that historic event but my partner wanted to go for that so I had to
stay back. He booked his ticket for himself and a friend who was
working as a P.R.O at the Srilankan Embassy in Chennai. But any
prayer from the depth melts the LORD and it so happened that my
partner had to stay back for a meeting. So Baba gave me that chance
which I have been praying for.
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So we were off to Bangalore by shadabdi
express and arrived in Pa rthi in the evening. We saw huge
crowd coming into Parthi and it gave a festive look. Huge
crowd started assembling outside the stadium ( entry was free
for all) barricades were erected outside the stadium to
regulate the crowd. No body was clear how things are going to
be the next morning. It appeared as if it was going to be very
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tough to get a pass or something of that sort. My
friend ( I think his name is visweswaran, I am not sure.) said he
knows a doctor inside Prashanthi and we went to his residence. But
we did not get any positive response from the doctor and he said no
passes or anything of that sort is been given. We felt un welcome
there at that moment. We knew the doctor will be definitely be there
to witness that event though he said he is busy and has to attend
hospital the next day. He did not even offer a seat for us so
quickly said Sairam and left that place. We did not know what to do
so suddenly he remembered helping a girl from Bengal for doing a
project in srilanka and her parents live in Parthi behind the bus
stand. He had no address just the name of the father. We took a
chance and went behind the bus stand searching for them. We searched
and enquired with some people and one fellow asked us to check at a
particular house. My friend went to that house and we were ringing
the bell for quite some time and no body was opening the door. After
sometime we said let us chuck it and we started going back. He must
have taken a few steps then he slipped and fell down. A lady who was
coming in the street try to help us and in that process picked up a
conversation. When we told her about the family she pointed to that
house where we were a moment ago and when she rang the bell the door
promptly opened. Then we realized we were ringing a bell connected
to the first floor where nobody lives. Then we experienced Swamy’s
love from that family when they treated us with quick juice and
fruits and we discussed everything like a family re union after many
years. Then we realized it is already 9.15 pm and is time for
dinner. We said good night and left them for dinner praying to SWAMY
that HE must do something about the entry into the stadium. We were
skeptical as Mr Naidu ,a good old friend , who was looking after the
administration of Sathya Sai Resort himself said he is helpless. But
we were sure SWAMY will do something and what HE will do we were not
sure. When we arrived at Sathya Sai Village at 9.30 pm and were
standing in the reception a maruti car came and stopped near us.
When people started getting down we could not
believe our eyes when the last man got down. He was none other than
Arjuna Ranatunga the captain of the Sri Lankan team. My friend
rushed to him and shook hands introducing himself to Arjuna
Ranatunga. When we expressed our desire to witness the historic
event . He said he will see what he can do about it and left to see
his family as they were staying in Sathya Sai Village. After 10
minutes some seva dal came in search of my friend and asked us to be
ready by 4 .40 AM.
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We could not believe our stars and thanked
SWAMY. The whole night we could not get sleep thinking about
the excitement and we impatiently waited for dawn. We kept
alarm for 3 .00 and we got ready by 3. 50 in the morning. We
came to the reception and we were offered breakfast along with
lot of dignitaries and families of the Srilankan team. Then we
were boarded in two bus carrying a VIP Pass and Mr Naidu was
also in our bus. Slowly we were taken inside Prasanthi and we
came and entered the stadium after they started allowing
people inside. When we were getting down Mr Naidu said I can
only do this much ( he claimed credit for whatever was
happening) now we have to find a place in the
gallery. |
We said Sairam thank you so much and we saw the
crowd of dignitaries and the family members were taken in a line to
an enclosure. We prayed to SWAMY to allow us also as a part of the
family and joined them. The heart beat was very high and I could
hear mine beating in super fast rhythm as we were inching in that
line. We could see a sea of humanity pouring in to the stadium from
the other side. Slowly we were led to a gallery with shade and they
were looking at the face and letting us in one by one. My heart
started beating heavily and much faster. I started once again
talking and praying to SWAMY to help us. Oh my god my friend was
allowed in and after two more it was my turn. My heart almost
stopped and they let me in too. They stopped the person just behind
me and all the people behind were re directed. We got a place along
with the real VVIP’s and I ended up sitting next to the Italian
Ambassador to SriLanka. Slowly after 20 minutes it dawned on me that
I am sitting next to SWAMY on the right side of Shanthi Vedika. It
was a treat to the eyes and soul to be part of the history in the
making. I still cherish the whole event. Then next day the whole
Srilankan team and family was called for interview by SWAMY and my
friend also went along with them. He called me too to join them but
heart of heart knew SWAMY will not appreciate that so resisted the
temptation. He had a blissful time inside and we stayed in Parthi
till New Year and returned to Chennai. To add to all these blessings
SWAMY put me on to a Tamil magazine reporter and I wrote an article
in English for him ( he translated that and published in Kumudam
magazine under my name) about the Cricket match and the stadium and
gave him the fabulous colour brochure with the picture of the golden
trophy as a momento.
Then finally I resigned from that consultancy in
June 1998. I was without a job and being the only earning member it
was a rough patch we (me & BABA) were going through. Somehow HE
chose this period to fulfill my inner most desires. So I got
opportunity to do little bit of modeling assignments, acting in
serials, pranic healing etc and money was coming through for
sustenance. Seeing my plight my friend Mahesh told me about Kumar
Baba with whom Shirdi Baba is talking in flesh and HE has ordained
to install 1008 Shirdi idols at the devotees house whom HE sends and
they have to worship 6 full moon days a special Pooja and after 6
months SHIRDI BABA will assume the responsibility of that house ( as
if HE is not otherwise responsible) . Each Namavali ( Names) in the
sahasranamam (1008 names of the Lord) has an attribute and HE will
assume that attribute Mahesh said. So thought why not approach Kumar
Baba for one installation ( pratishta) for my self. Mahesh said he
is not sure as he took it 6 months ago and his number was 640 or so.
When I approached Kumar Baba He said He has kept 108 Shirdi Baba
idols in Durga pooja so I want to give you one from that. Hence you
come here on Vijaya Dasami day. I thought that is the best thing
which can happen. So I waited and went there on Vijaya Dasami day.
When I was waiting one couple came there and when Kumar Baba opened
the register ( he keeps the details of the devotees who is taking
the idol as He prays for the welfare of their families), I saw the
next no was 786 and I had a desire to possess that idol as it has
Islamic significance. Bismillah Ur Rahiman Rahim. But Kumar Baba did
not give me that idol and first He gave the idol to that couple.
Heart of Heart I was disappointed as I got 787th idol.
So I got 787th idol and I went home un happy though
my Shirdi Baba came home ( I learnt what desire can do to you) but I
did not realize the significance and the divine play till I reached
home and played the cassette. The 787 th namavali was “ Dukha
(sorrow) , Daridra ( poverty) , Roga ( sickness) adeena ( etc)
Bhasma Dharayathe namaha.
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One who removes sorrow, poverty , and
sickness or ailments and burn them to ashes. I cried as what
more one can ask the ever compassionate Lord. HE is going to
assume responsibility to remov e all these from our life, then
I do not need anything. After I took the idol my father in law
also took one. Within one month since I took, 1008
installations were complete though only 140 plus installations
had only happened since my friend Mahesh took it 6 months
before me. I also did not realize that this was beginning of a
360º turn of life from that moment. I did 6 months pournami
pooja ( full moon worship) and in 1999 as prophesied by Baba
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my journey to Qatar was scheduled on the 9th of
March. I prayed to SWAMY that I cannot live without singing HIS
glory so please do something about it and at least send one angel
for my help. I did not know where on earth Doha Qatar was and was
not sure of any Sai activities in this place. I landed in Qatar from
Mumbai ( my maiden flight in life) on a Wednesday the 9th of march
1999 at 9.45 pm. But the LORD did not allow me to come out till it
was Thursday and so I came out only at 0.45 hours on Thursday the
10th March 1999.
Purpose of Life….. a new phase begins
Went for my first bhajan in Qatar on a Ugadi day
with my colleague Rajkumar . I sang my favourite bhajan Mandir mein
Aao Madhava and there I met my two angels of SWAMY Dr. Malini
Chandra Sekhar and Mr Chandrasekhar who is known in Doha as MC and
GC. We came closer on many counts as we have similar tastes,
preferences in life, same star, same master, music lovers, love for
SWAMY’s work, belief in alternative therapies to name a few. I used
to spend most of my time with my dearest friend and colleague Murali
Menon and I used to share whatever little I know about SWAMY. That
became a meditation for us till late evenings till 12 o clock.
Slowly I saw Murali stopped taking non veg food, then a
transformation happening to him. This was the time the Birthday
celebrations were planned in 1999 and wanted to bring out a
magazine. So I was to attend a meeting and I took a cab from my
Office. I was thinking what would be the title for the magazine as
GC and MC asked me to also think about the title. While traveling
the title emerged in my mind (SWAMY gave ) Seek , Attain &
Inspire ie to say Seek SAI , Attain SAI and then you Inspire Others
. We were thrilled about this and it came out very well. That was
the only volume we did but I presume that was drama of the LORD to
bring us together. Then in the year 2000 , I was about to quit due
to many professional problems but Dr pushed me into taking up
further studies. So she said you are doing your MBA . I was not sure
about my capabilities so as usual I prayed to Baba in the evening
prayer about a sign that it is HIM who is motivating such a big
action from me. He put a flower from the Mother Gayathri photo and I
kept pressing for more signs and HE untiringly kept putting flowers
till I was pushed into it.
One morning someone came to her clinic and gave her
a prospectus from IGNOU an open university from India ( which she
collected for somebody else) the requirements perfectly matched for
my profile. They also offered semester system and very convenient
one though it was very expensive. So I started my MBA course. First
semester had economics and finance for manager which was very
difficult for me among the 4 papers in the first semester. One
Sriram ( we became very close later) joined Stan & Chart bank as
head of consumer division and came to Qatar. So he said he will
teach me finance. Thus SWAMY sent HIS first angel to take care of my
(no… HIS) MBA. I got through that paper in the first attempt with
60% and then Sriram left for India for good. Economics I flunked but
I could write it again within 2 years. Second semester I had MS 5
material management & MS 7 information technology & MS 8
Statistics and O . R. This semester was the test of time and
endurance and if I am through by HIS grace then all subsequent
papers were all related to my professional life. So again I prayed
to HIM and surrendered to Baba to handle things for me.
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One of the devotees daughter Devaki ( a Sri
Lankan family – Mr and MRs Kandaswamy) was doing Computers and
she offered help in computers. She taught me Cobol and PERT
& CPM etc and prepared me for the exam and also solved
problems for my assignments. MS 08 I had taken tuition from
another friend paying money. Economics which I had arrears a
friends nephew Mr Babu who is a chartered accountant , had
taken up a job in Qatar and came forward to help me. He was
too good in a dry subject like Economics and made it so
interesting. But I could not get anyone in MS 5. So we decided
not to write that paper and concentrate on the other 4 papers.
When I went to collect the hall ticket one week before the
exam, the person in the institute said you have already paid
for this paper. Why don’t you just go and attempt the paper. I
took it as a prompt from Baba. Went home and kept the hall
ticket in the Paduga during bhajan. |
Last bhajan was going on --- Bhajo bhajo seetharam
--- GC singing and the whole place was charged with vibrations and I
was sitting next to him plump in front of SWAMY’s chair. The paduga
was placed on top of the foot rest for SWAMY. Suddenly the hall
ticket flew and bounced ( I have never seen sheet of paper bouncing
in my life before) fell near my leg. I knew then very much that HE
is taking care of my exam.
Dr said I will read that paper MS 5 and explain
what is written there. We will allocate two days for that paper.
Rest is with SWAMY. I said game and we did go through that paper
only for 3 days totally. When results came I got overall 60% for MS
5 , I cleared my Economics arrears with 60% + and Information
technology also I cleared in first class. MS 8 where I spent money I
flunked. Not to mention Kandaswamy family migrated to Canada just
after that results , Mr Babu who taught me economics had to leave
that job as he had some problems in office.
My next semester had one macro economics and this
MS 8 arrear started bothering me. But I decided to go ahead with
other papers and write this later. This time I collected my hall
ticket and kept it in SWAMY’s padam and honestly I was expecting a
sign from HIM that HE will be with me and write the exam. This time
the sweet LORD chose to show me a different sign. I bought 4 pens
and kept it along with the hall ticket. Bhajan was going on and last
but one song another brother was singing. I was again sitting right
in front of SWAMY. Suddenly two pens came tumbling down and fell
near my leg. I separated those pens and used it for that semester.
Only HE knows why the first pen I started using never went dry. I
used only one pen for the whole 4 papers. With SWAMY’s grace I
cleared all the papers with excellent grades some I got distinction
and some I got first class.
Time was up for the next semester where I decided
to write my macro economics along with my regular papers. I was
wondering what to do. Then Mr Babu who left Qatar for good came on a
visit to search for a job and he was more than willing to spend time
with me though he was really running around to meet people to
somehow get a job. I got the hall ticket and this time no signs as I
had 1 unused pen and some from the old pen blessed by BABA. So exams
were great and cleared all the papers with excellent grades. You may
be wondering what happened to Mr Babu. His role was over so he left
for India as he did not get any placement. Even today he is in
Mumbai or Gujarat somewhere happily.
|
My last chance for appearing for MS 08 came
in that semester . Just the thought of writing that exam was a
nightmare. Just then a devotee who came from Bahrain I suppose
Mr Vanchinath said he is too good in statistics and he can
teach me that subject. He was really too good. I have never
seen anybody teaching like that in my life. He could make me
do problems in probability / sampling etc with ease. I prayed
to Baba intensely and told HIM this is my last chance. I am
not capable of writing this paper ( any paper for that matter)
So please be with me and write this paper. If I don’t get
through this paper all my dream and hard earned money will be
down the drain. HE knew everything still its my responsibility
to remind HIM. I wrote the paper not so good as it was very
tough and I prayed to HIM after coming home fell and hugged
HIS chair visualizing HIS soft warm lap and cried. Reminded
HIM about HIS capability to change my answers before it
reaches the evaluators. HE is so compassionate that HE can
never see any tears in anybody’s eyes. HE knew my plight and
so when I got my results I cleared the exam. |
 |
Of course Mr. Vanchinath was blessed with a superb
offer in Sharjah and left Qatar for good immediately after the
results.
The final hurdle for my MBA had to be crossed. I
must swear and acknowledge Mr Walter Dias, a friend who was the,
Marketing Manager of Gulf Air took so much of time to help me with
my project and became my mentor. My thesis was hanging and 4 times
my project proposal was rejected by the University and I changed the
topic two times. Then I met my friend who was working as a Sales
Manager in Coco cola handling Arwa mineral water Mr Murali Kamat. I
told him about my plight and he suggested why don’t you do a project
about Arwa mineral water and its success in the market, readily
offering help. So I took the project Marketing Strategies of Arwa
Mineral Water – A case study Report with a business model for new
entrants to the market. He took me to Mr Nadeem Khan his Regional
Head from Pakistan. We had a discussion and Mr Nadeem gave a letter
to the University acknowledging his consent and gave all support. I
submitted a detailed research methodology and the project proposal
was instantly approved. I completed the project in 3 months and I
sent it to the University. It was approved and I got 5 out of 5
points.
Again I want to share with you it was HE who was
doing everything as I got my results I came to know that Murali
Kamath had been transferred to Bahrain and Nadeem Khan has migrated
to Canada. Walter Dias resigned from Gulf Air and joined Qatar
Insurance heading a new Division independently. Looking back I see
all the people who was sent by SWAMY did their roles very well and
they have been blessed by HIM with better positions outside Doha.
Thus SWAMY blessed me with an MBA.
Meanwhile we were doing so many programmes for
SWAMY on every festivals. I want to narrate some magnificent
incidents. We as group ( we are not part of the official SSSSO) is
headed by Dr. Malini Chandrasekharan and Mr Chandrasekharan and we
are a like minded people of about 50 members. Just the love of SWAMY
brought us together they have been sunning a group for more than 15
years perhaps and doing phenomenal service activities along with
EHV.
 |
The main activity is EHV started humbly
with 9 children , I believe , and today we have 7 centres, 25
teachers and 200 children. Truly SWAMY’s angels and they are
doing many many service activities following the foot steps of
Swamy. Once we had a pooja they put a jasmine flower garland
on two photos of identical sizes and that night we had unusual
fragrance in the pooja room. Next morning we saw on one photo
the garland has grown substantially and the other photo it was
the same size. |
Immediately we took a photo and went to the studio.
But the photo did not come. Then we came back and prayed to Swamy
this is not for publicity purposes and we wanted to be sure of HIS
presence. Then we took the photo again and it came. So we held a
special bhajan to cheer SWAMY’s presence. We have made a baby Jhoola
( swing) where we decorate it with SWAMY ‘s picture ( reclining
position) and we use it on SWAMY’s birthday in the morning and
evening. A devotee who did not have any issues for 7 years was
swinging the jhoola and she conceived immediately after that to
everyone’s surprise. This jhoola has repeated the performance and we
have 3 instances of devotees blessed with babies. One of them was a
EHV teacher who did not have any possibility clinically and all
astrologers who saw the horoscope ruled out any possibility of a
second issue for her. Even her first child’s horoscope reveals only
single child though both the parents wanted a second one. But SWAMY
sees only what work we are doing for HIM. Against all odds they came
for the Birthday bhajan hearing about the wonder Jhoola and their
faith did not go waste. They were blessed with a baby girl recently.
(………………………………………………………………. the journey
continues)
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